NORMAN — Former Texas offensive lineman Jay Boulware enthusiastically praised his new employer's facilities, tradition and powerful recruiting brand last week in a session with local reporters.

Jay Boulware, assistant football coach at the University of Oklahoma (OU). Photo provided

The elephant in the Adrian Peterson Team Meeting Room took just a few questions to come up.

Is he adapting to his new wardrobe?

“I'm used to it,” said Boulware, sporting a crimson pullover. “I love it.”

Boulware, who was born in Oklahoma City and still has lots of family in the area, joins an exclusive club of men who've seen the Red River Rivalry from both sides. OU football historian Mike Brooks said Boulware is the fourth former Texas player to coach at Oklahoma, joining Jim Helms (1973-75); Harry Phillips (1945); and Swede Lee (1966).

Boulware will coach special teams and tight ends under Bob Stoops.

Boulware said he lived in Oklahoma the first six or seven years of his life before moving to Texas.

He was a reserve Longhorns offensive lineman two seasons, and slated to earn a starting position in 1993 before a medical condition prematurely ended his playing days.

His coaching career began at Texas shortly thereafter; he was a graduate assistant before stops at Northern Illinois, Arizona, Stanford, Utah, Iowa State and Auburn, where he coached special teams and tight ends the last four seasons.

Boulware said before accepting the Oklahoma job, he didn't have any history with Stoops, but did know OU assistant Bobby Jack Wright.

MORE FROM NEWSOK

by Jason Kersey

OU Sports Reporter

Jason Kersey became The Oklahoman's OU football beat writer in May 2012 after a year covering high school sports and OSU recruiting. Before joining the newspaper in November 2006 as a part-time results clerk, he covered high school football for...